Constantly Stamping

Global Design Project: GDP290 Sketch Challenge

We have another great sketch challenge at Global Design Project this week. Our designers have really done a great job with this one, so be sure to head over to the blog to see their amazing creations. You can also see them on Instagram.

If these cards look familiar, it is probably because they are an extension of the ones I made last week. I couldn’t get enough of last week’s color challenge of Coastal Cabana, Magenta Madness, and Bumble Bee, so I paired it with this week’s sketch to create two additional cards. This color combo is stunning, especially when used with the new Hand-Penned Petals Bundle from the upcoming 2021-2022 Annual Catalog (available May 4, 2021).

The big difference with these cards (other than the layout) is that I did not incorporate any DSP into the design. I love it when I am able to make cards using just stamps/dies, ink, and cardstock. I also realize that not everyone has access to the new host DSP, so this is a great way to use this stamp set with fewer supplies. And while Bumble Bee is one of my favorite colors, others may appreciate a different take on this color combo that downplays it.

I have to admit that I am hardpressed to pick a favorite of the lot, but I think it has to be this card. There is definitely a lot going on here. I wrestled with whether it is too busy, but in the end, I love it. I really like the colorful background on white, but it was lacking something...so I stamped some dots to fill in the gaps between images.  There is a great dot stamp in the Dressed to Impress set along with this great "hello" sentiment. I also hand-drew some of the dots in places where it was a little tricky.

I used Dimensional adhesive to give the circle some lift. This gives some separation from the background and helps break up the flow. I tried several approaches to this card design, but in the end, I kept coming back to this one.

Here is one of the other cards I made with this sketch. It is essentially the same but different. I tried to stay completely true to the sketch with this one. And while the original sketch doesn't have a solid strip down the left side, I thought it was a nice way to bring balance to the layout, especially with the elongated sentiment.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Global Design Project: GDP289 Color Challenge

This week at the Global Design Project blog we are kicking off the month with a bright and beautiful new color challenge.

This color combo is stunning, especially when used with the new Hand-Penned Petals Bundle (#155492), Scalloped Contours Dies (155560), and host reward Pattern Party DSP (155426) from the upcoming 2021-2022 Annual Catalog available beginning May 4, 2021. I have a couple of favorite sets from the new catalog and this is definitely on the top of my list. I predict this will be a huge seller for the upcoming year.

I work a full-time job in addition to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so I don't get to play with my stamps as often as I would like. But I received a new shipment of products from the upcoming catalog and I really just wanted to get familiar with it as much as possible. This color challenge was just the excuse I needed to spend the day in my craft room.

I began by stamping and die-cutting several of the floral images from the Hand-Penned Petals Bundle (#155492) using the challenge colors of Coastal Cabana, Magenta Madness, and Bumble Bee. Sometimes I am limited on color challenges because I don't always have Stampin' Blends colors I need, but this stamp set solves that problem. I also wanted these die cuts to be similar to chipboard, so I layered them to give added thickness. Each floral image is one layer of thick cardstock and two layers of regular white cardstock so they are really sturdy. It gives a similar look to the floating die-cut method but is much more stable.

I needed to make a card for Mother's Day, so I used the sentiment from Dressed to Impress (#158321) and heat embossed it in white on Magenta Madness cardstock. The cardstock strip looked a little plain, so I stamped it with flowers using Versamark ink. I added a scalloped border along the bottom edge by cutting a thin strip of Coastal Cabana cardstock with the Scalloped Contours Dies (155560). I was originally planning to use a plain white background for this card but instead opted for this gorgeous paper from the Pattern Party DSP (155426) collection. This Bumble Bee damask design is absolutely gorgeous and just my style. Stampin' Up! if you are listening...I wish this pattern was available in every color!

I thought I was finished but then this next card just easily fell together with the leftovers on my craft table. Honestly, I think I like this one even better and it is much easier to make. I love how it showcases the beautiful background paper and it only uses one floral image, so it is a big time-saver. I used a sentiment from the Dressed to Impress (#158321) stamp set on this card as well. Just a quick note about the open frame. This frame has a solid center, so I used a square die to cut away the inside. I had to run it through the machine twice, but it worked like a charm.

The biggest challenge on this particular card was adding the twine behind the frame. First, I attached the bottom of the frame to the card, then positioned the twine. Once I had it exactly where I wanted it, I finished attaching the frame and added the flower/sentiment. Finally, I added some clear rhinestones to complete the design.

I hope you are inspired to give this color combination a try and play along. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this great color challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

Global Design Project: GDP288 CASE Challenge

This week at Global Design Project, we are CASEing this fun card by Manuela Geiswinkler. This card made me take a step back and really look for a way to make it my own. It wasn't easy because I don't have any images in my current stamp collection that even come close to this cute little snail.

Using the Hydrangea Hill Suite (#155985) of products is probably not the first thing you would consider when CASEing Manuela’s adorable snail mail card. The key to making a project work for you is focusing on one design element. In this instance, I love how the stamped images emerge from the envelope in the lower-left corner. However, I had to improvise when making the envelope. I used a 3" square envelop as a pattern and cut about an inch off the bottom.

When placing the flowers into the envelope I had to "re-distribute" some of the leaves to make a more pleasing arrangement. By re-distribute, I mean to cut off and use them elsewhere on the layout.  Originally, I tried to stay true to the color pallet that Manuela used but ended up letting the DSP take center stage. I used Stampin' Blends to color the images in Soft Sea Foam, Highland Heather, and Misty Moonlight. I also needed more depth to the colors so I added in a small bit of Light Smoky Slate to the darker areas. The key here is to use a light hand and blend quickly.

I couldn't resist adding the adorable little tag from the Hydrangea Dies (#154326) with a bit of Linen Thread (#104199). Finally, I added some Basic Pearl Jewels (#144219) to several of the flower centers.

Just a quick note: If you love the Hydrangea Hill DSP (#154570) be sure to get it now. The stamp set and dies carry over into the new catalog, but this beautiful Designer Series Paper is only available until the end of June (or while supplies last).

I hope you like today's project. We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

 

 

Global Design Project: GDP286 Sketch Challenge

I am very excited about this week's sketch at Global Design Project. I literally started with one notecard and couldn't control myself. I ended up making a set of six coordinating notecards with matching envelopes.

April is such an exciting time. As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, we get to see and purchase products from the upcoming annual catalog. But wait...I haven't even begun to use all the beautiful papers and stamps I already have and yet it is time to say goodbye? The Flowers For Every Season 6" x 6" designer series paper (#152486) is so beautiful and perfect for springtime cards, but it will be gone soon. So I decided to make it the focus of my projects and I just couldn't get enough.

My goal was to focus on one paper and one stamp set, and just see what I could create. The Free As A Bird stamp set (#149468) was the perfect choice for this challenge. It has several versatile greetings, so I had a variety to choose from.

One of the things I love about this paper is that it has several beautiful floral designs as well as some more subtle ones that read more like a solid. This is very important when you want to easily mix and match patterns. There is even one design full of flowers that lends itself well to fussy-cutting.

So here is how I made these cards. I started with thick white cardstock to create several  3" x 3" card bases. Then I used the 2-7/8" square from the Layering Squares dies (#151772) to cut the DSP. Next, I used the next to largest circle from the Stitched Shapes dies (#152323) to cut a circle from the centers of the squares.

I glued the DSP to the card bases and then added stamped sentiments and embellishments. I used the same DSP to cover the flaps from the 3"x3" envelopes (#145829). (Note: the envelopes are actually 3-1/8" square and are designed to hold 3" x 3" notecards.)

All six cards and envelopes fit perfectly into the Clear Acetate Card Boxes (#150428). I tied some coordinating ribbon from the Flowers for Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack (#153620) around the box and now they are ready to give as a gift.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.